<%
=begin
apps: discourse
platforms: kubernetes, tanzu-application-catalog
id: use_external_database
title: Use an external database
category: configuration
weight: 20
highlight: 20
=end %>

<%= partial 'platforms/kubernetes/common/use_external_database.md.erb', var: { db: 'postgres'} %>

In case the database already contains data from a previous Discourse installation, you need to set the *discourse.skipInstall* parameter to *true*. Otherwise, the container would execute the installation wizard and could modify the existing data in the database. This parameter forces the container to not execute the Discourse installation wizard.

Similarly, you can specify an external Redis(TM) instance rather than installing one inside your cluster. First, you may disable the Redis(TM) installation with the *redis.enabled* option. As described previously, use the parameters below to provide data about your instance:

~~~
redis.enabled=false
externalRedis.host=myexternalhost
externalRedis.password=mypassword
externalRedis.port=5432
~~~
